David Harum · Chapter
XXVIII explained
David Harum describes the social stratification of Homeville, distinguishing between the 'village people' and the wealthy, refined families like the Verjooses.
What happens
David Harum describes the social stratification of Homeville, distinguishing between the 'village people' and the wealthy, refined families like the Verjooses. He discusses the Verjoos family history and the summer visitors who bring urban customs. John Lenox learns about the local social dynamics and his own place as an outsider. Dick Larrabee jokes with John about the counterfeit money incident, revealing David's playful nature.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Community
David Harum elaborates on the social hierarchy in Homeville, distinguishing between the 'village people' and the wealthy families like the Verjooses, and discusses how summer visitors bring urban customs.
Character and Reputation
David's reputation as a shrewd but honest man is highlighted, and Dick Larrabee's loyalty and admiration for David are evident in their conversation about the counterfeit money.
Ambition and Contentment
David expresses contentment with his simple life, stating that a 'good fair road-gait' and basic necessities are enough, while John reflects on the idea that having enough is sufficient.
Characters to notice
- David Harum
David explains the social hierarchy of Homeville, discusses the Verjoos family, and shares his philosophy on contentment.
- John Lenox
John listens to David's observations about Homeville society and later converses with Dick Larrabee about the counterfeit money incident.
- Dick Larrabee
Dick Larrabee jokes with John about the counterfeit money, revealing David's playful intentions and his own loyalty to David.
- Aunt Polly
Mentioned by David as being popular and knowledgeable about the local families, though not part of the elite circle.
- Mr. Euston
The rector who called upon John, but John has made no further acquaintances.
Key passages
“I ain’t what ye might call an old residenter, though I was part raised on Buxton Hill, an’ I ain’t so well ’quainted with the nabobs; but Polly’s lived in the village ever sence she got married, an’ knows their fam’ly hist’ry, dam, an’ sire, an’ pedigree gen’ally.”
David says he's not a longtime resident and doesn't know the wealthy families well, but Polly knows their entire family history since she's lived in the village since marriage.
David explains his limited knowledge of the elite families, deferring to Polly's deeper understanding.
“Don’t cut no figger at all. Polly ’n I are too old to set up fer shapes even if we wanted to. A good fair road-gait ’s good enough fer me; three square meals, a small portion of the ‘filthy weed,’ as it’s called in po’try, a hoss ’r two, a ten-dollar note where you c’n lay your hand on’t, an’ once in a while, when your consciunce pricks ye, a little somethin’ to permote the cause o’ temp’rence, an’ make the inwurd moniter quit jerkin’ the reins—wa’al, I guess I c’n git along, heh?”
David says being called 'village people' doesn't matter to him; he's content with simple pleasures like meals, tobacco, a horse, some cash, and occasional charitable acts to ease his conscience.
David expresses his philosophy of contentment and indifference to social status.
“Why, he wouldn’t no more ’a’ passed them bills ’n he’d ’a’ cut his hand off. He, he, he, he! He was jest ticklin’ your heels a little, to see if you’d kick, an’, chuckled the speaker, 'you surely did.'”
Dick Larrabee explains that David never intended to pass the counterfeit money; he was just teasing John to see his reaction, and John reacted exactly as expected.
Dick reveals David's playful nature and clarifies the misunderstanding about the counterfeit bills.
